ODI World Cup 2023 Semifinal 2: Bavuma fights health points as South Africa takes on Australia

Temba Bavuma has proven enchancment from the hamstring pressure that he suffered in opposition to Afghanistan. But the South African skipper mentioned he’s nonetheless “not a 100 per cent” match and {that a} choice on whether or not he’ll play within the second semifinal in opposition to Australia on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata will probably be taken tomorrow.

“I’m quite confident, but I mean, it’s not a unilateral decision that will be made (regarding selection),” Bavuma mentioned throughout his pre-match press briefing on Wednesday.

Bavuma has additionally struggled for type all through this World Cup and has a prime rating of solely 35.

“Yes, I haven’t scored the bulk of the runs within the team. I got in quite a couple of times, but I haven’t converted. I play a key role with Quinton de Kock up top; we’ve been involved in a couple of 50-plus partnerships, so I take a lot of confidence in that,” Bavuma mentioned.

ICC World Cup 2023: With rain forecast in Kolkata, South Africa faces ‘chasing’ dilemma in semifinal in opposition to Australia

If Bavuma misses the semifinal, Aiden Markram may captain South Africa as he did in opposition to England and Bangladesh.

South Africa is bracing for a turner in Kolkata pitch within the World Cup semi-final, and Bavuma didn’t rule out the opportunity of enjoying two spinners.

“If it is up to me, I’m definitely playing our two frontline spinners. Obviously, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. We obviously have Aiden (Markram) as well, who also gives us an option there. Then I think it’s just finalising who the three seamers may be,” Bavuma mentioned.

The Proteas have reached the semifinals on the again of dominant wins over Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and England. They solely misplaced to the Netherlands and India. But Bavuma tempered the expectations.

“I’d hate to say that we deserve to go through because of the way we played our cricket,” he mentioned. “I don’t think that’s the way things go. But I think from our performances and from the processes that we’ve followed to get to this point, we’ll continue to lean on that, and we believe that that will take care of the result in itself.”